LET’S GO FREO!

The City of Fremantle and Freo Chamber of Commerce plan to turn Freo purple as the AFL Finals approach

Finals fever is about to hit Fremantle as the Dockers close out a record‑breaking season and chase their first‑ever premiership. Today the Mayor of Freo, Ben Lawver, launched the Let’s Go Freo campaign on the famed Cappuccino Strip confirming the city is about to turn purple — and inviting us all to join in the fun.

However, the Mayor did make it clear that cost and convenience of doing so will militate against painting the streets of Freo purple as happened in 2013 when Fre9 made the Grand Final! But as he said, there’ll be so much purple on the streets it will seem as if they have been painted purple. The Mayor considers there could be as many as 20,000-30,000 folk up and down and around central Freo if the Dockers make it to the Big Dance on 26 September.

Ben Lawver, Mayor of Fremantle (L) and Ivan Dzeba, President of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce speaking at today’s media launch of the LET’S GO FREO campaign.

The City of Fremantle and the Chamber are throwing their support behind the Fremantle Dockers, as the club heads into the 2026 AFL Finals Series, by turning the city purple and holding a community celebration should the Dockers make their first Grand Final appearance in more than a decade.

From today, key locations in the city centre, including the Cappuccino Strip, High Street, Walyalup Koort and Newman Court are decorated in purple as the city rallies behind its home team and celebrates the excitement of finals football.

Bunting, balcony banners, tree wraps and pole wraps have been hung, and local businesses are battling it out for best window display bragging rights.

Should the Fremantle Dockers secure a place in the 2026 AFL Grand Final (and subject to Council approval on 26 August), the City has plans for a major live site on the Cappuccino Strip, giving fans the opportunity to gather in the heart of Fremantle to watch the game on large screens while supporting local businesses.

Restaurants, cafés and traders across Fremantle and along the iconic strip will be encouraged to activate for the event, creating a vibrant family-friendly atmosphere for supporters of all ages.

To support local participation, the City will waive hire and application fees for businesses seeking to activate on Grand Final day. Statutory fees and charges, where applicable, will continue to apply.

The City will also promote all approved watch parties at hospitality venues and community activations in the lead-up to the Grand Final on Saturday 26 September through the Visit Fremantle website: visitfremantle.com.au/dockers-mania

Freo Goes Purple

Walyalup Koort, the Cappuccino Strip and High Street will be splashed with Dockers posters, wraps and bunting, while landmarks from Fremantle Prison to the Arts Centre and Freo Ports light up in purple. It’s time to show your colours and help turn the town electric.

Businesses are invited to join the Purple Push

Finals toolkit assets are available from the City and are ready to use, and Worldwide O’Connor is offering 15% off Dockers‑themed printing. Posters are being delivered across key precincts, with extras available at the Walyalup Civic Centre.

Planning Something Purple? Let the City know – and tell us here at FSN too

Dockers watch parties, themed menus, purple cocktails — you can feature them on Visit Fremantle Facebook and Instagram pages and across its channels. Tag @visitfremantle and use #thisisfremantle to share your purple pride.

Getting in the action early is Benny’s Bar & Cafe where staff will be dressed in purple serving Docker-cinos, purple cocktails and Docker burgers.

Grand Final Day

If the Dockers make it, the City will waive application and hire fees for approved venue activations to help businesses bring the buzz.

The $1,000 Purple Freo Showdown Prize

Transform your shopfront, window or venue into a purple spectacle. Share your display, tag @freochamber and use #GoFreo. The most creative purple takeover wins a signed Dockers jersey and $1,000 to spend in Freo courtesy of the Freo Chamber of Commerce and City of Freo.

Exciting times ahead! As the Mayor says, ‘This is bigger than football. This is Fremantle showing the whole country how we do finals fever. Let’s unite, let’s light up the city and let’s turn this town purple!’

*By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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